I have a deep appreciation for the largely untapped value of data in natural history collections. Specimens are the physical evidence for virtually everything we know about biology, they anchor our species concepts, hypotheses of relationships among species, patterns of distribution, as well as our more general theories about evolution, biogeography and biodiversity. While collections represent the single largest source of information we have on planetary biodiversity, they are largely under-utilized and therefore also under-appreciated. As curator of the University of Arizona Insect Collection, I am committed to collections care and enhancement, and the use of bioinformatics to make collections-based data widely available to diverse user communities.

Graduate Students

John Pa﻿lting

The Arctiinae (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), or tiger moths, are a conspicuous part of the fauna in the Madrean Sky Island Region where many endemic species occur, some of which are undescribed. Caterpillars of species in the tribe Lithosiini, the so-called lichen tiger moths, feed nocturnally on lichens and mosses and the adults are often aposematically-colored. Research on their chemical ecology indicates they sequester toxic polyphenols from the lichens. Besides their warning colors, many of these moths exhibit acoustical aposematism, producing clicks to warn bats of their distastefulness. The taxonomy of the Lithosiini is in need of much work, largely due to the huge size of the tribe (somewhere between 4000 and 5000 species) and its worldwide distribution. Preliminary molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate the tribe is not monophyletic. As part of my dissertation work, I am adding to this phylogenetic framework by including new sequences from the 60+ species of Lithosiini known from North America.

Among lithosiines, I am particularly interested in the phylogeny and natural history of the genus Crambidia. Canadian entomologist Gordan Ayres (1958) observed that caterpillars in this genus are myrmecophilous (obligate associates of ants). I am conducting a detailed systematic revision of this genus and documenting the relationship between these moths and their host ants through rearings, behavioral observations, and histological studies of glands involved in this relationship.

My research interests are in the processes—both past and present—that influence species distributions and diversification, and how insights into those processes can be used to inform conservation. Currently, I am examining the biogeography of ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) species within the Madrean Sky Island Archipelago of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico as part of the Arizona Sky Island Arthropod Project. I am specifically interested in the flightless species Synuchus dubiusLeConte which contains populations isolated on Sky Island mountain ranges. Using molecular phylogenetic techniques to reconstruct their evolutionary history, I will uncover patterns of population differentiation.

Lab Associates

Reilly McManus, M.S.

Moore Laboratory Manager

I am interested in where the worlds of microbiology and entomology overlap. I am surveying the paussine microbiome and the host-ant microbiome and exploring if and how microorganisms impact their relationship.

My research program focuses on the evolutionary biology of insects, primarily the systematics, taxonomy and biogeography of beetles, most notably Ptiliidae (featherwing beetles), Hydroscaphidae (skiff beetles), Sphaeriusidae (minute bog beetles) and New World species of Limnichidae (minute marsh-loving beetles). I also work on fossil insects associated with pack rat middens to help us better understand the past & recent fauna, flora and climate of southwestern deserts.

Chip Hedgcock

Photographer

I am interested in the exploration of invertebrate diversity through photography. I work with both living and preserved collections in the laboratory setting. Working in the field is one of my great loves, I regularly participate as the primary photographer for biological surveys in the Sky Islands of the US and Mexico.

PostdocsJames Robertson, Ph.D. 2010-2017 James is now a Molecular Systematist for National Identification Services at USDA-APHIS-PPQ in Beltsville, MD.Tanya Renner, Ph.D. 2013-2015 Tanya is now an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology at Penn State University.Paul Marek, Ph.D. 2010-2013 Paul is now an Assistant Professor of Insect Systematics at Virginia Tech.Wallace (Marty) Meyer, Ph.D. 2010-2012 Marty is now an Assistant Professor of Biology and the Director of the Bernard Field Station at Pomona College.Jeff Eble, Ph.D.2010-2012 Jeff is now a Research Associate at the University of West Florida.

Graduate StudentsReilly McManus, M.S. 2015-2017 Reilly is now the manager of my molecular laboratory in the Entomology Department at the University of Arizona.Garrett Hughes, Ph.D. 2010-2017 Garrett now works as an Entomologist for USDA-APHIS-PPQ in Texas.Angela Hoover, M.S. 2014-2016 Angela works as a research assistant with Dr. Michael Bogan at the University of Arizona.Antonio Gomez, M.S. 2012-14 Antonio is pursuing his PhD with Dr. David Maddison at Oregon State University.Chris Bibbs, M.S. 2012 - 2014 (co-advised with Dr. Dawn Gouge) Chris works for the USDA in Florida.Jason Schaller, M.S. 2011-2013 Jason is the Curator of Entomology at the Albuquerque Biological Park in New Mexico.Undergraduate Students﻿Jordan AllinShahrzad BadieBen BealEmmanuel BernalLexie CooperNick DowdyEmily HallJeff Henkel Payton GenisMaliha KhanAvery LaneNico LorenzenRyan McInroyReilly McManusJennifer MingsYomo OrhoAmanda RomaineAjay SankarJaime SevillaJohn StuartCarol TepperTanya Turner​Patricia ValenzuelaPilar VergeliSarah Rose ViningSpencer WilliamsEryn WuoriKristin Wuori﻿